Ranikhet is a beautiful hill station and a perfect destination for family, kids and couples. If you are tired of the hectic, exhausted life of your city and want to relax in the lap of nature then Ranikhet is the Best Destination for you. Well several tour packages are available by travel agencies that will complete your tour to Ranikhet in a day but if you really want to explore this beautiful place give 3 days to this place you will return with a heavenly experience and peace in mind. 

The Geography:

Ranikhet is a Hill Station located in Almora district of Uttarakhand, it is having an elevation of 1869 m or 6132 ft above sea level. This is a place where you will forget all the stress and tension of your life. Panoramic view of the Great Himalayas, lush green locality and a peaceful environment, this is the nature’s beauty at its best.

Climate:

In winters, Ranikhet becomes very cold and one can enjoy snow fall during this season. The temperature remains moderate during summers. So this is a best place to visit throughout the year.

Local Languages:

Hindi & Kumauni

How to Reach Ranikhet:

Ranikhet is at a distance of 350 km from the Indian National Capital, Delhi. This place is well connected by road and railway. 

By Road: Ranikhet is having a Bus Depot. Direst Bus Service is available for Ranikhet from Delhi, bus takes 10-12 hours to reach destination. One can take Bus from ISBT Anand Vihar towards Ranikhet. For bus enquiry from Anand Vihar you can contact Enquiry Counter on 011-22142914, 2158641, 22141611.

By Train: The Nearest Railway Station is Kathgodam, which is well connected with trains from Delhi. Kathgodam is around 70 Km from Ranikhet. You can easily get private taxis or government bus from Kathgodam to reach Ranikhet. It will hardly take 3 hours to reach Ranikhet from Kathgodam.

Trains From Delhi to Ranikhet:

Ranikhet Express (Train Type: Mail/Express): Departure from Old Delhi Railway Station at 10:30 PM, Arrival at Kathgodam is 5:05 AM. (Train Runs Every day)

Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti (Train Type: Sampark Kranti): Departure from Old Delhi Railway Station at 4:00 PM, Arrival at Kathgodam is 10:40 PM. (Train Runs Every Day)

Delhi Anand Vihar – Kathgodam Shatabdi Express (Train Type: Shatabdi): Departure from Delhi Anand Vihar Terminal at 6:15 AM, Arrival at Kathgodam is 11:40 AM. (Runs 6 days in Week: Not Running on Thursday)

(Train Timings According to Indian Railways)

By Air: Pantnagar Airport is the nearest Airport which is 110 km from Ranikhet. Air India Runs their flight on “Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday” from IGI Delhi to Pant Nagar At 2:30 PM, the Flight Arrive at Pantnagar Airport at 3:40 PM.

Local Transport at Ranikhet:

Local taxi are available at Ranikhet. Ranikhet is Having Three Taxi Stands. It’s your choice whether you choose a private taxi or a shared taxi.

Tourist Attractions At Ranikhet:

Temple: Baba Hairakhan Temple, Binsar Mahadev Temple, Jhula Devi Temple, Ram Mandir, Kalika Temple, Mankameswar Temple, Nanda Devi Temple, St. Bridget Church, KRC Gurudwara.

Scenic Beauties: Chaubatia, Bhalu Dam, Upat & Kalika, Golf Course, Aashiyana Park, Panoramic Views of Himalaya, Sun Set Point.

Historic Places: Kumaon Regimental Center Museum, War Memorial

Market: Sadar Bazar, Khadi Bazar, Jaroori Bazar.

Special: Saul Factory (See how workers making Saul).

Must Do at Ranikhet:

Camping in Jungle, Tracking, Local Fair/Mela, Hill Conquering (Mountaineering), Picnic, Spend a night at Local Village and understand the culture, the people’s value and heart of people. 

Nearby Places to Visit:

Dwarahat, Kausani, Chaukhutia, Doonagiri, Naithana, Masi, Pali, Tarikhet, Katarmal (Sun Temple). 

Culture:

People: People of Ranikhet are very helpful and simple hearted, called Kumaonis or Paharis they are humble, friendly and always welcoming for the tourists.

Fair and Festival: Ranikhet celebrates all Hindu festivals but “Nanda Devi Fair” held at Nanda Devi Temple is very much important and famous fair held in Ranikhet. People celebrate it with great pomp and it is really mesmerizing. This fair shows in the month of September. There are other famous fairs as well nearby like Shayaldeh Mela, Dwarahat Mela, and Navratri Festival.

Food: If you are at Ranikhet, you should miss the various local mouth watering and delicious dishes of Ranikhet that reflects the culture of this beautiful town. Some famous dishes are Madue ki Roti, Bhatt ki Churkani, shai, bhang ki chatni, Neembu ka Sanwa, gahat ki daal, etc and don’t forget to take these with you and cook at your home. Also take “Baal-Mithai” with you, this is major sweet available in market.

Accommodation Options in Ranikhet:

Ranikhet is having plentiful hotels including Resorts, Heritage Hotels, Cottages, as well as budget hotels.

Flora & Fauna

The pine, oak, and deodar forests host an array of wildlife including leopard, leopard cat, mountain goat, barking deer, sambar, pine marten, Indian hare, red-faced monkey, jackal, langur, red fox, and porcupine.

Photo courtesy: Deep Sah